Manager, Airside Operations

Vancouver Airport Authority; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 106,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

Vancouver Airport Authority is seeking a Manager, Airside Operations to ensure safe, efficient aircraft flow and regulatory compliance. The role leads a 24/7 shift team, guiding tactical decisions during irregular operations and emergencies to maintain business continuity.

Reporting to the Director, Airside Operations, you will drive airside programs, collaborate with stakeholders, and mentor staff while ensuring safety and service delivery at YVR.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant aviation experience or operational decision-making role.
• At least 3 years in a leadership position with team management.
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Aviation Operations, Business Management or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership through recruiting, mentoring, and coaching of direct and indirect reports on 24/7 shifts.
• Lead proactive management of operations based on demand and system conditions.
• Deliver airside programs and coordinate with Emergency Operations Centre during incidents.
• Develop changes to airside strategy with IOC and Airport Flow teams.
• Represent airside on shift to ensure safety, standards, and compliance.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Decision making under pressure

Collaborative skills

Effective communication

Education

A post‑secondary degree or diploma in Aviation Operations, Business Management or related field

Tools

ICS model

Job description

YVR is a place of connection, bringing together people, places and cargo while ensuring a safe and efficient experience for everyone. Airside Operations is integral to delivering a safe and efficient operation, and is the key in the continued success of the Vancouver Airport Authority.

Position Overview

Are you a strategic, critical thinker, who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced, highly regulated environment? Do you have a keen eye for safety while guiding a team in solving complex problems? Do you enjoy leading a team and collaborating with stakeholders to meet shared business objectives?

Reporting to the Director, Airside Operations, the Manager, Airside Operations is responsible to ensure operational integrity and the safe and efficient flow of aircraft. This includes maintaining compliance to regulatory obligation and supporting a team assessing acceptable short-term deviations and mitigations to the operational plan. The successful candidate will be part of a 24/7 shift-based team and must collaborate to maintain situational awareness, always focusing on forward planning considerations to anticipate and manage irregular operations and be well-positioned to respond to emergencies and maintain business continuity.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Provide leadership through recruiting, mentoring, and coaching of direct reports, as well as indirect reports, peers and contractors working across the 24/7 operational teams
• Leading a team in proactive management of the operation based on the airport demand and in consideration of airport and aviation system conditions,
• Management and leadership in delivery of Airside specific operational programs, such as tactical management decisions (E.g. Winter Operations, Remote Stand Operations, Major Safety or Security Occurrences), which includes leadership in the Emergency Operations Centre or as part of the ICS model as the Airside Lead during emergency events.
• Develop and implement any changes to the airside strategic direction of the shift, in collaboration with the Manager in the IOC (Integrated Operations Centre) and Manager, Airport Flow to meet safety and service delivery objectives of the airport and its stakeholders in serving its customers.
• Represent the Airside functional departments as a whole in leading the teams on shift in delivering programs, maintenance, standards, safety and compliance in the airside operating environment.

Key Qualifications Include

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience working in aviation or in an operational decision-making role, with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a leadership role, supplemented by a post‑secondary degree or diploma in Aviation Operations, Business Management or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training and work experience.
• Proven high level of sound judgment, decision‑making and critical thinking skills under pressure.
• Ability to collaborate positively with peers, customers and service providers in high‑stress and challenging discussions enabling effective 24/7 service and remediation when required
• Comprehensive familiarization of terminal, airside and groundside areas of Sea Island, operational systems and contingency plans to effectively plan and execute tactical plans
• Ability to organize and facilitate effective communication between multiple stakeholders within the airport community. (E.g. Transport Canada, NAV Canada, TSB, RCMP, RFR, Health Canada), both orally and in written form
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license and the ability to obtain a D AVOP license with Free Range Endorsement

Although not required, French language skills are an asset as we are committed to providing bilingual services to our visitors and passengers. Candidates who do not speak French are still strongly encouraged to apply.

Shift work is required as this role supports the operation on a 24-hour basis. These are rotational 12-hour shifts.

This position is open to both Vancouver Airport Authority employees and external applicants. Previous job performance will be taken into consideration for all internal candidates that apply for this position.

As part of our recruitment process, short‑listed candidates may be required to participate in an assessment process.

Salary Range:

$105,680 to $158,520 per annum, based on a 40-hour work week. This is individually tailored to reflect your unique experience, qualifications and internal equity. Performance‑Based Incentive: Eligible for an annual bonus target at 15% of your annual salary. At YVR, your work experience goes beyond the paycheck. We support your personal and professional development, well‑being, and a thriving work culture with generous vacation days, extensive health benefits, retirement savings matching, wellness programs, community engagement, commuting support, and continuous learning opportunities. Learn more at https://careers.yvr.ca/benefits

Who We Are

YVR is more than just an airport. We connect our beautiful province and all it has to offer to the world. We are all leaders and trailblazers for change and innovation, so no matter the department or team you’re a part of, the work you do matters.

At YVR, we are flexible in everything we do. We will work together to find ways to deliver customer excellence that helps us all thrive.

Whatever your background and wherever you're from, you belong at YVR. If you have any questions about accessibility or require any assistance applying, please reach out at [e-mail].